Last week, I sat across from a founder whose startup was still in its infancy. He had the usual slide deck filled with the market potential, growth projections, and a roadmap that promised the moon. As he spoke, I noticed familiar patterns in his narrative — the same patterns I often encounter in my IVF clinic when hopeful couples come in, desperate to build a family. There’s a deep, unspoken parallel between these worlds: the subtle art of listening.
In the IVF clinic, listening is not just about hearing words. It’s about sensing the unspoken fears, the silent hopes, and the weight of the dreams that hang in the air. A couple might tell me about their struggles with infertility, but it’s their eyes that reveal the real story — the frustration, the resilience, the exhaustion. It’s in these moments that I realize how much more there is to glean when we tune into what’s not being said.
The same applies when I’m interviewing founders. A business plan might look immaculate on paper, but it’s the founder’s conviction, their ability to communicate passion, and their response to probing questions that often tell the true story. I’ve backed founders whose ideas seemed improbable because I sensed something genuine in their approach, much like the way I might choose an embryo that isn’t the top choice by conventional grading but feels right for reasons I can’t quantify.
Data and intuition must coexist; one without the other is like trying to navigate with only half a map. In IVF, embryo grading provides a scientific framework, but intuition fills the gaps that data leaves behind. Similarly, when evaluating a startup, market analysis is crucial, yet it’s the founder’s unspoken potential that often sways my decision.
I recall a couple I worked with recently. Their medical reports were promising, yet my gut told me there was more beneath the surface. We ran additional tests, and my instincts were confirmed — there were underlying issues that required attention. This is akin to the investment world, where a founder’s pitch might look flawless, but it’s their reaction to scrutiny that reveals their true potential.
Critics of intuition argue that it introduces bias, and there’s some truth to that. But the key is awareness and experience. I acknowledge that my instincts are shaped by years of practice, both in medicine and investing. This experience helps me recognize when to trust my gut and when to step back for a more analytical approach.
Listening, in its true form, is an art — an art that goes beyond words. It’s about connecting with the human element, whether it’s a patient longing for a child or a founder pitching their dream. This connection often uncovers insights that data alone cannot reveal. In my clinic, I’ve always prioritized human connection over technology, a principle I hold dear in my investment practice too. The bond you form with a founder can be more telling than any numbers on a spreadsheet.
The real revelation, though, is this: listening, truly listening, is what bridges the gap between data and intuition. In both IVF and investing, it’s the human stories, the personal connections, and the subtle cues that often guide us to the most rewarding outcomes. And as much as I rely on my experience and gut feelings, it’s the willingness to listen — beyond the spoken words — that has been my most valuable tool.
In the end, whether I’m guiding a couple through the emotional labyrinth of IVF or assessing the potential of a budding startup, it’s the art of listening that often leads me to the most fulfilling decisions. It’s about embracing the uncertainty, trusting in the human connection, and recognizing that sometimes, the best insights come from what is left unsaid.